A direct rail link between North Wales and Liverpool will be reinstated for the first time since the 1970s as part of a £10.4 million UK Government scheme.

Chancellor George Osborne yesterday unveiled plans to upgrade the Halton Curve line to improve connectivity between the region and the city, as well as Cheshire and Warrington.

The news has been welcomed by politicians and business leaders who say it will boost the North Wales economy, help commuters and provide tourism and environmental benefits.

With 250,000 people from the region – along with North West Cheshire – using Liverpool John Lennon Airport every year, the move will also provide passengers with a transport link to the airport for the first time.

Clwyd West AM Darren Millar said: “I have been campaigning for years to get a direct service between North Wales and Liverpool reinstated, so I am absolutely delighted.

“Liverpool is an important commercial centre and improving transport links will provide a huge boost to the North Wales economy in terms of access to jobs and promoting tourism.

“Shifting passengers from road to rail is also good for the environment. North Wales has not enjoyed a direct rail link with Liverpool since the 1970s, when it was incredibly popular for shoppers, commuters and tourists. This is a very exciting development and I look forward to seeing the huge benefits it will bring.”

Darren Millar

Secretary of State for Wales David Jones MP added: "Today’s announcement of a £10.4m upgrade to the Halton Curve rail line is great news for North Wales. It will enable an estimated 500,000 more people to access employment, educational and recreational opportunities. It will improve links to Liverpool John Lennon Airport and help stimulate further investment.”

Gwyn Evans, North Wales chair of the Federation of Small Businesses, says it will benefit companies in the region who do business with Liverpool.

“Such investments also have the potential to take commuter traffic off the roads, easing congestion for tradespeople, delivery drivers those who travel for work in North East Wales”, he added.

Askar Sheibani, chair of the Deeside Industrial Park Business Forum said it was “excellent news” and hoped the link would be implemented quickly.

Robin Tudor, head of PR for Liverpool John Lennon Airport, said the project was one they had been pursuing for several years.

He added that the link would give passengers a direct route to the airport via Liverpool South Parkway.